First the wolf, now the bluetongue virus. Sheep, goats and alpacas are also at risk of becoming ill. According to Henk Hulshoff of the LTO, bringing animals inside is the ‘standard method’. But does that help (enough) against the mosquitoes that transmit the virus?
Contrary to what the name suggests, animals infected with the virus do not always develop a blue tongue. However, they can get a high fever and inflamed legs, for example. Nearly two thousand cases are now known in the Netherlands. Sheep can die from the disease. Cows become ill and produce less milk, but they do not die.
Because it is such a warm autumn, the mosquito that transmits the virus is very active. A few days below 10 degrees would do wonders against the outbreak, but you can no longer count on that in October due to climate change.
The South African vaccine was not safe enough according to Agriculture Minister Piet Adema. He believes that a vaccination campaign makes little sense because winter is coming.
Should all sheep farmers in Drenthe and Groningen keep their animals indoors to be on the safe side? Give your opinion below!